<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/sydney" rel="" target="_blank" title="Sydney"><span>Sydney</span></a><span> council will soon charge fees of up to $2000 for hosting </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/weddings" rel="" target="_blank" title="weddings"><span>weddings</span></a><span>, gender reveal parties and pop-up picnics in public parks, if a proposal to be voted on next month gets the green light.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Many of North Sydney Council's popular parks and reserves boast picturesque views of the sparkling Sydney Harbour – but using them for events will soon come at a high price.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/council" rel="" target="_blank" title="council's"><span>council's</span></a><span> Commercial and Group Use of Public Open Space Policy has listed three tiers of draft fees and charges, ranging between $10 and $2000, which, if approved, will come into effect on July 1.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/national-childcare-strike-looming-july-15-dispute-over-fifteen-per-cent-pay-increase/febd39df-286d-40f8-96fa-c3c2f1d78bd8" rel="" target="_blank" title="'It will be hard': Parents warned as mass childcare centre shutdown looms"><strong><span>'It will be hard': Parents warned as mass childcare centre shutdown looms</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>LIVE UPDATES:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/us-israel-iran-war-live-updates-may-22-donald-trump-latest-world-news-headlines/9940a5ba-1e5c-4ced-9028-c059733a73be"><strong><span>Trump orders 5000 troops sent to European nation</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The proposed fees apply to any commercial or group use of 23 council-managed parks and reserves and will be charged in two or three-hour blocks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This includes pop-up picnics, wedding ceremonies and receptions, gender reveal parties and social gatherings of more than 21 people.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/north-sydney-council-to-charge-people-for-picnics-dog-walking-wedding-ceremonies-in-parks/f9d0335f-b634-4f4e-a7f0-9b854d312481" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Flat annual fees of $300 will also be applied to commercial dog walkers, picnic operators and fitness trainers.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Charges are laid out in three categories, depending on the level of demand.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The highest fees will be charged at popular harbourside locations Blues Point Reserve, Bradfield Park (South), Henry Lawson Reserve and Cremorne Point Reserve (West).</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Under the proposed system, a wedding ceremony held at any of the top-category locations will cost $1000 for three hours of use.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>If the party is having a reception with food and drink served at the park, the fee jumps to $2000 for every three hours.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A commercial pop-up picnic will cost $70 for a maximum of two people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>This fee increases to $200 for groups up to 10 people.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>EXPLAINER: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/household-debt-australia-why-we-feel-poor-despite-being-among-worlds-richest-countries/79fe0a69-9ec1-4094-b924-f02be903fc8c" target="_blank" title="Australia ranks among the richest countries. So why do we feel 'poor'?"><strong><span>Australia ranks among the richest countries. So why do we feel 'poor'?</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE: </span></strong><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/dangerous-and-unacceptable-russian-fighter-jets-target-unarmed-british-spy-plane-in-black-sea-nearmiss/e75eb67d-ed89-4da8-aef0-d27bdd06cca0"><strong><span>Russian jets targeted British spy plane in Black Sea near-miss, UK says</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Balls Head Reserve, Berry Island, Kurraba Point Reserve and Milson Park fall into category two, with wedding ceremonies at these parks to cost $650.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The cheapest fees will be charged for events or activities at Forsyth Park, Smoothy Park, St Leonards Park, Ted Mack Reserve and Tunks Park.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Wedding organisers hoping to have a ceremony at these locations will be slugged a $300 fee.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The council will charge beween $84 and $88 for waste bins for larger events.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Some of the bigger events will require a bond.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The proposed fee structure will be voted on at a council meeting in June and will be applied from July 1 this year.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Several parks in the council area will not be subject to the fees for informal gatherings of up to 60 people, such as Anzac Park, Waverton Park and Milson Park.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The council said the fees will ensure "fair and equitable access to limited public open space" and that the money will be used for park maintenance and management.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>nine.com.au has contacted North Sydney Council for comment.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><em><span>NEVER MISS A STORY:</span></em></strong><span> </span><strong><em><span>Get your breaking news and exclusive stories first by following us across all platforms.</span></em></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><ul><li><strong><em><span>Download the 9NEWS App here via</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://apps.apple.com/au/app/9news/id1010533727" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>Apple</span></em></strong></a><span> </span><strong><em><span>and</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=nineNewsAlerts.nine.com&amp;hl=en_AU&amp;pli=1" target="_blank" title=""><strong><em><span>Google Play</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Make 9News your preferred source on Google by</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://9.nine.com.au/8x987w" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>ticking this box here</span></em></strong></a></li><li><strong><em><span>Sign up to</span></em></strong><span> </span><a href="https://login.nine.com.au/edm?client_id=nineatnine" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>our breaking newsletter here</span></em></strong></a></li></ul></div></div>